Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
Contained in this collection are packaging for ladies hosiery, and in most cases, these still contain the actual products. Most of the products were manufactured in North Carolina, and they were collected by William J. Leath. A variety of brands are represented in the collection, including Corbett, McCrary, L'eggs, Bear, Bic, and even a few international brands. These materials were displayed at the Acme-McCrary headquarters in Asheboro, N.C., prior to their donation to the NC State University Libraries.
William J. Leath (1914-2003) worked in the hosiery industry in North Carolina, beginning in 1936 with Chadbourn Hosiery Mills, Inc. (earlier Rufus D. Wilson Company), and in 1958 helping found Leath, McCarthy and Maynard (LM&M). While working for Chadbourn, Leath invented stretch hosiery used in ladies nylons and pantyhose. Patents were issued for Leath's new yarn, product, and manufacturing process from 1955 to 1957.
William J. Leath (1914-2003) worked in the hosiery industry in North Carolina, beginning in 1936 with Chadbourn Hosiery Mills, Inc. (earlier Rufus D. Wilson Company), and in 1958 helping found Leath, McCarthy and Maynard (LM&M). While working for Chadbourn, Leath invented stretch hosiery used in ladies nylons and pantyhose. Patents were issued for Leath's new yarn, product, and manufacturing process from 1955 to 1957.
Leath was born in 1914 in Alamance County, North Carolina, and he grew up there. Leath graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College. He served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1946. Leath was married to Margaret Jeffreys Leath and had three sons. He died in 2003.
Contained in this collection are packaging for ladies hosiery, and in most cases, these still contain the actual products. Most of the products were manufactured in North Carolina, and they were collected by William J. Leath. A variety of brands are represented in the collection, including Corbett, McCrary, L'eggs, Bear, Bic, and even a few international brands. These materials were displayed at the Acme-McCrary headquarters in Asheboro, N.C., prior to their donation to the NC State University Libraries.
Arranged in the order received. This collection has not yet received full archival processing.
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.
[Identification of item], William J. Leath Collection of Ladies Hosiery and Packaging, MC 00640, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Cliff Leath, 2018 (Accession 2018.0183)
Processed by: Todd Kosmerick, 2018 May; machine-readable finding aid created by: Todd Kosmerick, 2018 May.
This carton included the earliest dated items in the collection, such as the the Corbett and McCrary boxes.
This carton also includes pantyhose and nylon repair products and a newsclipping about William J. Leath's invention of stretch fabric for ladies hosiery.
Digital copy exists. Pending staff review and approval, access will be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request. Access may be restricted.
File count is approximate and may exclude system files, deleted files, and duplicates that may have been created during processing.
Collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access will require additional advanced notice. Copies of digital files may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room upon request.
For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.
Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111
Phone: (919) 515-2273
[Identification of item], William J. Leath Collection of Ladies Hosiery and Packaging, MC 00640, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The NC State University Libraries generally claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. Libraries staff are unable to advise on copyright and other legal matters; the user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Helpful resources for assessing copyright include Cornell Libraries' "Copyright Services: Copyright Term and the Public Domain" and copyright.gov. This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information about identifiable living individuals, which may be protected under federal or state laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that there may be legal ramifications for disclosing this information.
The University Archives operates in accordance with the State Public Records Act, with unrestricted access to records not covered by state and federal statutes and regulations.